In 1997 a long sought after goal of the Manitoba Senior Men’s Provincial Team program was finally realized. Year after year the program sought to bring home the Tier 2 Championship, something that it had not yet accomplished. Beginning in 1994, the Senior Men’s team had three successful development seasons which brought them closer to realizing their goal. With a strong level of commitment from players made up of all Manitoba rugby clubs across the province, the team gained confidence and ability through the next three years of competition which included development tours and hosting visiting teams. The Senior Men were pitted against sides such as Guy’s Hospital, Alberta North and Alberta South, as well as a side from Krasnoyarsk, Soviet Union, all of which helped to cement the team together.
The progression and hard work of the team culminated in 1997 when the Manitoba Senior Men’s Team won the Tier 2 Championship. It was the first, and only, time that a Manitoba side achieved this goal as the tiered competition format changed the following year with its elimination. Manitoba had been competing at the national level for years, and these victories substantiated the belief of the players, coaches, and many supporters and fans that Manitoba could play competitively with many of the other provinces and earn the privilege to compete against the top ranked Tier 1 teams. Winning the Tier 2 Championship was the next step up for Manitoba Senior Men’s Provincial program and had earned them the right to showcase their talents against the Tier 1 teams, Canada’s highest level of rugby.
Although the competition format change shook things up the next year, the majority of the team’s members continued in the Sr. Men’s programs the Manitoba Buffalo in Rugby Canada’s Super League. The Buffalo went on to enjoy strong seasons, including tying for1st place overall in 2000 with Fraser Valley in the 7-team Western Division. This continued success was built upon the foundation set by the 1997 Manitoba Senior Men’s Provincial Team and the culmination of their discipline, commitment, and belief they could accomplish their goal. The team came from many different clubs, but really believed in one another, worked hard with each other, and cared about each other and helped expand the rugby horizon in the province of Manitoba.
For this contribution to Manitoba Rugby, we recognize and welcome this team to the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame in the Player/Team category.
1997 Tier 2 Manitoba Senior Men’s Provincial Championship Team
Todd Andrews
Dave Bowen
Kris Buddick
Darren Carter
Garther Cheung
Curtis Coulsen
Stu Cox
Brian Erichsen
Rob Flieschaker
Gord Foulkes
Mark Hampton
Ward King
Roddy MacLeod
Sean Manby
Mike Menard
Troy Messam
Derek Paulsen
Marc Rampaul
Darren Raeside
Sid Roberts
Jaco Roux
Troy Williams
Darcy Wright
Coaches: Jack Brogan, Garry Nicholson
Manager: Gary Pacoluk
Athletic Trainer: Rich Willis
The progression and hard work of the team culminated in 1997 when the Manitoba Senior Men’s Team won the Tier 2 Championship. It was the first, and only, time that a Manitoba side achieved this goal as the tiered competition format changed the following year with its elimination. Manitoba had been competing at the national level for years, and these victories substantiated the belief of the players, coaches, and many supporters and fans that Manitoba could play competitively with many of the other provinces and earn the privilege to compete against the top ranked Tier 1 teams. Winning the Tier 2 Championship was the next step up for Manitoba Senior Men’s Provincial program and had earned them the right to showcase their talents against the Tier 1 teams, Canada’s highest level of rugby.
Although the competition format change shook things up the next year, the majority of the team’s members continued in the Sr. Men’s programs the Manitoba Buffalo in Rugby Canada’s Super League. The Buffalo went on to enjoy strong seasons, including tying for1st place overall in 2000 with Fraser Valley in the 7-team Western Division. This continued success was built upon the foundation set by the 1997 Manitoba Senior Men’s Provincial Team and the culmination of their discipline, commitment, and belief they could accomplish their goal. The team came from many different clubs, but really believed in one another, worked hard with each other, and cared about each other and helped expand the rugby horizon in the province of Manitoba.
For this contribution to Manitoba Rugby, we recognize and welcome this team to the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame in the Player/Team category.
1997 Tier 2 Manitoba Senior Men’s Provincial Championship Team
Todd Andrews
Dave Bowen
Kris Buddick
Darren Carter
Garther Cheung
Curtis Coulsen
Stu Cox
Brian Erichsen
Rob Flieschaker
Gord Foulkes
Mark Hampton
Ward King
Roddy MacLeod
Sean Manby
Mike Menard
Troy Messam
Derek Paulsen
Marc Rampaul
Darren Raeside
Sid Roberts
Jaco Roux
Troy Williams
Darcy Wright
Coaches: Jack Brogan, Garry Nicholson
Manager: Gary Pacoluk
Athletic Trainer: Rich Willis